Monitoring light sensitive electronic components

Abstract

This invention relates to apparatus for continuously monitoring a light sensitive electronic component, forming part of a device for detecting light pulses of a specified character, the apparatus comprising a light source directing light through fiber optics at the component, the source being pulsed by a pulse generator which also sets an alarm monitor connected to operate a switch having its input taken to the component, the switch output being connected to a voltage sensor for resetting the alarm monitor if a signal received from the switch is above a predetermined minimum, the alarm monitor being adapted to activate an alarm if not reset.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent Document is: 
     
       1. Apparatus for monitoring a light sensitive electronic detector component used with a device for detecting light pulses of a specified character comprising: a light source having means adapted to direct light at a light sensitive electronic detector component, the source being operatively connected to a pulse generator which is also connected to set an alarm monitor and to operate a switch which has its input connected to the detector component and its output connected to a voltage sensitive device for resetting the alarm monitor if a signal received from the switch is above a predetermined minimum voltage and the alarm monitor being adapted to activate an attention drawing device if not reset.   
     
     
       2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the alarm monitor is adapted to activate a stopping device for stopping ancilliary equipment associated with said device, if the monitor is not reset. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the means adapted to direct light is a fiber optics pathway. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the light sensitive component is used in apparatus for the sorting of seeds. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the light sensitive component is used in apparatus for the sorting of ores. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which the light sensitive component is used in a method of diamond recovery which utilizes X-radiation fluorescent techniques, including pneumatic ejection of detected fluorescing diamonds from accompanying gangue material. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the light sensitive component is a photomultiplier tube. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which a pressure transducer is associated with a pneumatic ejector for conveying a reset signal to an alarm monitor, the monitor being connected to be set by an operating signal for the pneumatic ejector, and being adapted to activate attention drawing means if not reset. 
     
     
       9. In combination, a light sensitive electronic detector component forming part of a device for detecting light pulses of a specified character, apparatus for monitoring said component comprising a light source having means adapted to direct light at the light sensitive electronic detector component, the source being operatively connected to a pulse generator which is also connected to set an alarm monitor and to operate a switch which has its input connected to the detector component and its output connected to a voltage sensitive device for resetting the alarm monitor if a signal received from the switch is above a predetermined minimum voltage and the alarm monitor being adapted to activate an attention drawing device if not reset, and apparatus for calibrating the detector component comprising: amplitude gain control means for the amplitude response of the detector component;   electronic means for monitoring such amplitude response; and   electronic means for adjusting the monitored amplitude gain control to produce a predetermined level of amplitude response.   
     
     
       10. The combination as claimed in claim 9 in which the electronic means for monitoring the amplitude response includes two voltage sensitive devices one of which switches on receiving an amplitude response of a predetermined minimum and the other on receiving an amplitude response of a predetermined maximum, each switch being connected to operate adjusting means to maintain the amplitude gain within the said maximum and minimum. 
     
     
       11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 10 in which the voltage sensitive devices are Schmitt triggers. 
     
     
       12. A light sensitive electronic detector component forming part of a device for detecting light pulses of a specified character, in combination with apparatus for monitoring said component, the apparatus comprising: a light source having means adapted to direct light at a light sensitive electronic detector component the source being operatively connected to a pulse generator which is also connected to set an alarm monitor and to operate a switch which has its input connected to the detector component and its output connected to a voltage sensitive device for resetting the alarm monitor if a signal received from the switch is above a predetermined minimum voltage and the alarm monitor being adapted to activate an attention drawing device if not reset.